Cheryl K. Olson is a California-based public health researcher who specializes in behavioral health issues and consults on tobacco product behaviors via McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors. She spent 15 years on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. In this section we feature a selection of Olson’s contributions to Tobacco Reporter
PMI Urges EU to Ensure ‘Fair Treatment’ of Tobacco in Review
PMI said the sector supports 2 million jobs across Europe, contributes €180 billion in revenue, and maintains a significant business footprint.
PMI-WSJ Study Highlights Human Value in AI-Driven Workplace
The study found that 83% of respondents use AI for research and information synthesis on a weekly basis, but only 57% report a high level of trust.
AI Search Favors Family-Owned Premium Cigar Brands: Research
The report argues that AI systems disproportionately favor brands with strong family-ownership narratives, vertical integration and longstanding editorial recognition.
Australian Economist Calls to Eliminate Tobacco Excise
He argued that enforcement efforts alone are unlikely to succeed given the scale of the illicit market and the limited resources available to police agencies.
Ukraine Alleges Tobacco Company Hid $55M in Taxes
Authorities further allege that company officials attempted to conceal the illegal use of raw materials by falsifying claims that the tobacco had been stolen.
FDA: Youth Tobacco Use Remains Near Historic Lows
E-cigarettes remained the most commonly used category at 5.2%, followed by nicotine pouches at 1.7% and cigarettes at 1.4%.
Philippines Urged to Lead ASEAN Effort Against Growing Illicit Tobacco Trade
The ASEAN-6 markets lost an estimated $12.6 billion in government revenue over the past two years, with illicit volumes projected to hit 170 billion sticks by 2028.
Bangladesh Risks $328M From Cigarette Pricing Structure
The minimum retail price is set a $0.50 per 10 sticks for low-tier, and $0.75 for medium-tier, while retailers commonly sell packs as low as $0.57.
Cambodians Uncover Two Counterfeit Cigarette Factories
One of the factories was reportedly producing counterfeit versions of well-known international brands, including Marlboro, Winston, JPS Classic, Gold Mount, and Canyon.
Taiwan Estimates More Than 40,000 Teenagers Vape
According to the report, 3.7% of Taiwanese adolescents use vapes, including 2.1% of junior high school students and 5.1% of senior high school students.
Philippine Tobacco Growers Warn of Oversupply Risk
The NTA warned that oversupply conditions could persist for three years and is preparing information campaigns to discourage excessive production.
South Korea Signals Cigarette Tax Hikes, Tougher Warnings
Cigarette prices have remained unchanged at an average of $2.93 per pack since a 2015 increase, despite consumer prices rising about 20% over the same period.
Reason Alleges Calif. Health Manipulated Anti-Tobacco Agenda
The report highlights the state’s funding of “Endgame” initiatives intended to eliminate commercial tobacco sales and scrutinizes relationships between CDPH staff.
Health System Settles Tobacco-Fee Suit
The suit said the system violated federal benefits laws by charging workers an additional fee if they used tobacco without complying offering wellness incentives.
Report:Tax-Free Cigarettes Fuel Illicit Trade Across Indonesia
Producers can earn substantial profits by smuggling untaxed cigarettes out of Batam, highlighting the challenge authorities face.
Philippines Urges Early Tobacco Planting Amid El Niño Threat
NTA is advising farmers to complete planting by mid-December rather than extending activities through the end of the month.
Plasencia Introduces First Global Brand Ambassador
The appointment recognizes Medina Mendieta’s 11 years with the company, where he helped expand Plasencia’s footprint across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Maldives Seized 23,000 Illegal Vapes Last Week
The latest seizure occurred on June 20 at Malé Commercial Harbor, where 6,328 cartridges were found hidden inside a shipment declared as general cargo.
PMI Announces New Regional Leadership
All four regional presidents report to Frederic de Wilde, CEO of PMI International, which oversees the business unit generating the majority of PMI’s global revenue.
CTIHK Expects Potential 30% Revenue Decline
The warning underscores CTIHK’s continued dependence on traditional tobacco supply chains, with tobacco leaf imports and exports.
UK Vaping Duty Expected to Generate £565M by 2030
The new rules are expected to affect duty-free retailers serving UK-bound passengers, potentially reducing purchase volumes and prompting adjustments.
Vermont Tightens Tobacco Regulations
The legislation expands statutory definitions to include “tobacco substitutes” and significantly increases licensing costs.
Illinois Caps Premium Cigar Taxes
Industry groups said the change is intended to reduce the tax burden on premium cigar retailers and consumers while improving tax parity.
Study Smoking Rates Impacted by Social Norms
The study found that states with stronger support for smoking restrictions generally had lower smoking rates.
National Rally Set to Oppose EU Tobacco Tax Report
The report rejects the European Commission’s proposal for higher taxes on newer nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.
Malawi’s Tobacco Sales Drop 28% in First Eight Weeks
A total of 62.1 million kg of tobacco was sold at an average price of $2.08 per kg.
Zimbabwe Cracking Down on Fake Tobacco Seed
It described the distribution of fake seed as “agro-terrorism,” warning that it threatens crop productivity, farmer incomes, and the integrity of the tobacco industry.
NSW Premier Backs Review of Tobacco Excise Tax
His comments align with those of politician Pauline Hanson, who this week urged the federal government to cut tobacco excise rates.
Bangladesh Health Advocates Criticize Tobacco Tax Measures
Advocates noted that low-tier brands account for nearly 75% of the cigarette market and proposed merging the low and medium tiers.
BAT Repositions Vuse Alto on U.S. Price Tier
The strategy strengthens Alto’s role as BAT’s core mid-priced closed-system vape product.
EPP Accused of Being Tobacco ‘Mouthpiece’ Ahead of Vote
The debate comes as the EU considers significant revisions to tobacco and nicotine regulations that could affect product availability.
N.C. Politicians Call for Relief for Tobacco Farmers
The lawmakers said tobacco production costs rose 30% between 2021 and 2025, compared with an 18% increase across U.S. agriculture overall.
Kentucky Tobacco Farm Gets DOL Reprieve Over Visa Enforcement
The case stems from allegations that the farm violated H-2A temporary agricultural worker program requirements involving wages, recordkeeping, and worker housing.
Pakistani Tob. Growers Call to End Export Tax
The group also opposed a proposed minimum indicative price of $1.89 per kilogram for Virginia tobacco in the 2026-27 budget.
NACS Calls for Fact-Based Approach in EU Tob. Directive Review
Europe’s convenience retail sector comprises more than 684,000 outlets generating more than €250 billion in annual revenue.
ABF Announces $1.3M Illicit Tobacco Seizure
The operation follows a seizure earlier this month involving more than 100,000 cigarettes and 39 kg of loose-leaf tobacco.
LA Passes Two Tobacco, Vape Bills
The law also mandates that tobacco and vapor products move through a regulated manufacturer-to-wholesaler-to-retailer supply chain.
Haypp Announces Zyn Ultra Launch Across U.S.
Zyn Ultra nicotine pouches are available through its U.S. online retailers, Nicokick.com and Northerner.com, as of June 15.
Man Arrested in Indonesia for Running Labubu Vape Ring
A raid in Medan resulted in the seizure of 862 vape cartridge tubes, dozens of vape liquid bottles, and more than 10,500 branded vape packages.
Korea Signals Tobacco Policy Overhaul, Price Increases
Cigarette prices have remained at $2.97 per pack since 2015, well below the $6.51 referenced in the government’s 2026–2030 National Health Promotion Plan.
